While a number of journalists from various media organization were targeted and assaulted by police officers on Friday, Maldives Broadcasting Commission has sent a warning to broadcasters.

Instead of condemning the assaults on journalists covering Friday’s opposition rally, the parent body of all local broadcasters issued a circular on Saturday, cautioning broadcasters ‘when bringing live coverage’.

The Commission also accused some broadcasters of airing content that threatens the peace and stability in the country, as well as encouraging to overthrow a democratically elected government.

It also said that its monitoring department has noticed that some broadcasters have been brining live coverage of unlawful gatherings, adding that the Commission is concerned about the ‘mannerisms’ of journalists, especially at a time when a state of emergency has been declared in the country.

MBC further noted that those broadcasters who are within legal ambits will be given full cooperation from the Commission.